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Please note by using any of the links provided for your convenience you will be leaving Fidelis Wealth Advisors website. The hyperlinks are to websites and servers maintained by third parties. We do not control, evaluate, endorse or guarantee content found in those sites. Your use of such sites is at your own risk.
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Should I DIY my Investments?

By: Jeff Bullock

Should I DIY my Investments?

I get asked all the time if a DIY approach to investing is the right method. There’s no clear-cut answer. For some with an investment background or education, it might make sense. For others, hiring an advisor is really the only way to create peace of mind. For those who go about the DIY approach, generally it’s a game of trade-offs. The most common trade-offs revolve around the time commitment, cost, access to trusted help, financial understanding, and deal flow.

While there are many ways to approach your money management, here are three things to think about before you DIY your own investments:

  • Co-Pilot:
    • The best-trained pilots need a co-pilot. The best quarterbacks in the NFL need a QB Coach. Even if you feel comfortable with the investment landscape, does it makes sense to have a co-pilot, especially if that co-pilot is up-to-date on industry news, landscape and innovation?
    • I meet with many people each year who are fully capable of taking a DIY approach to their finances, but generally due to their busy schedules, they aren’t able to dedicate the proper amount of time needed to make the best decisions. In many instances, the purpose of a co-pilot is to ensure the best decision is made, not just a good one.
  • Innovation:
    • Contrary to some thinking, there is a ton of innovation happening in the investment world. New products and better ways to get access to certain asset classes are being created and rolled out each year. A great advisory team will be meeting with industry partners regularly to stay ahead of the innovation curve.
  • Access:
    • Deal flow and access to opportunities can be a big trade-off when taking a DIY approach. Most financial institutions operate through “channels” to distribute their products and investment opportunities. In many instances, certain investment opportunities are only available through an advisor because that is the only channel by which the opportunity is being distributed.

Is it cheaper to DIY your investments? On the surface, it may feel that way depending on your approach, as long as you are willing to accept the tradeoffs. 

For example, 2022 has obviously been a volatile year in markets. However, there are many investments that have positive returns this year, but are only available through the advisor channel, and can’t be accessed by the DIY investor. These investments have been an anchor to our portfolios during these volatile movements.    My job is to help people make better decisions and continuously improve. If being the pilot or co-pilot through your financial journey can help you make better decisions, then perhaps there’s a place for an advisor in your life.

This blog is general communication being provided for informational purposes only.  This information is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities or investment advisory services.  It is educational in nature and not to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product or investment strategy.  This does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.  Any investment or investment strategy mentioned may not be suitable for all investors or in their best interest.   Statistical information, quotes, charts, references to articles or any other quoted statement or statements regarding market or other financial information is obtained from sources which we believe reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. All rights are reserved.  No part of this blog including text, graphics, et al, may be reproduced or copied in any format, electronic, print, et al, without written consent from Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC. Fidelis Wealth Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice.  Please be advised to consult with your investment advisor, attorney or tax professional before making any investment decisions.

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Brandon Waite

PROFESSIONAL

Brandon is new to the wealth management business, however, he brings many skills useful to the profession because of his prior experience. Brandon has worked in the accounting world auditing hedge funds, venture capital firms, and low-income housing organizations. Assessing business risk and financial GAAP accounting has been his primary focus. He is passionate about the world of finance and helping individuals accomplish their financial dreams.

Brandon graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Additionally, he holds two professional designations, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

 

PERSONAL

He lives in Castle Rock with his wife Emily, and their three daughters. Most of his free time consists of taking his daughters to the park, enjoying all types of sports, and watching movies.

Bailey Marudas-Jones

Bailey Marudas-Jones joined Fidelis Wealth Advisors in 2024, where she supports the back office by managing client onboarding and ensuring compliance. She also helps alleviate the team’s workload by handling various administrative tasks and processes. With a deep commitment to efficiency and excellence, Bailey is excited to contribute to the team’s success and help clients navigate their financial journeys at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.
Bailey grew up in Littleton, Colorado, where she still lives. In her free time, she enjoys watching old movies, reading, and learning to sew. She also loves spending time with her family and friends

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Karley Winder

PROFESSIONAL
Before joining the firm in 2022, Karley ran several local businesses, selling products in the Castle Rock area and online. Her passion for business inspired her to earn a degree in Financial Management from the University of Colorado Denver. At Fidelis, she has specialized in 401(k) plans and has also developed expertise in client-facing roles as a paraplanner. She holds a Series 65 license and plans to earn her Certified Financial Planner® designation. She is committed to providing a valuable experience that brings clients peace of mind.

PERSONAL

Karley is a Colorado native and grew up here in Castle Rock. She enjoys riding her horse, Dante, hiking and mountain biking the beautiful state of Colorado, and playing electric guitar.

Rilee Erickson

PROFESSIONAL

Rilee began working in the financial services industry in 2017 as an associate specializing in property and casualty insurance, as well as life insurance.  Since joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors she has taken on a paraplanner roll, providing life insurance support, as well as client and operations support. She also hopes to obtain her own Certified Financial Planner® designation in the years to come. Rilee’s passion in the industry is helping people protect their family and their future.

 

PERSONAL

Rilee graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Horticulture Science. She is a Wyoming native, growing up on the family cattle ranch in Lander, Wyoming, and now resides in Green River, Wyoming with her husband and two boys. Rilee enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors and exploring the beautiful and rugged Wind River Range.

Skye Fineran

PROFESSIONAL
Skye comes to Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Administrative Assistant in 2021 and is a recent graduate from West Texas A&M University. There she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Skye also completed Amarillo College’s paralegal certification program. Skye enjoys the rewarding feeling of helping clients to achieve their financial goals and looks forward to making a difference at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

 

PERSONAL
Skye grew up in Tecumseh, Michigan and currently resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with her family. Skye loves art history, playing golf, and spending time with her family and friends.

RIA Innovations

Fidelis Wealth Advisors has a strategic partnership with RIA Innovations, a Division of NWAM, LLC. RIA Innovations provides administrative support services for registered investment advisors nationwide. This service is under the direction of Nelly Mubashi, the Chief Operating Officer.

 

NWAM, LLC, dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations is an SEC registered investment adviser. NWAM, LLC dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations and Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC are not affiliated companies.

Gabriel Jones

PROFESSIONAL
Gabe started with Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Investment Research Assistant in 2018, and has an intense passion for investment research.


PERSONAL
Gabe is currently in college to obtain his Bachelors in Finance, and enjoys spending time outside of work hiking and reading.

Dawn Folmer

PROFESSIONAL
Dawn Folmer comes to Fidelis Wealth Advisors with a background in the finance industry, having previous experience with a registered investment advisory firm in Denver. Dawn is a recent graduate of Colorado State University Global, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. As a skilled financial planning assistant, she enjoys the rewarding feeling of helping people reach their financial dreams and retirement goals.

 

PERSONAL
Dawn is a Colorado native and resides in Castle Rock with her family, where they enjoy being adventurous and active in the outdoors. Additionally, she is passionate about travel, food, and playing golf.

Jeff Bullock

PROFESSIONAL
Jeff joined Fidelis Wealth Advisors after spending nearly 10 years working at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management in their Private Bank. As Chief Investment Officer, he is responsible for the overall investment strategy, portfolio construction, and market insights for clients.

 

Jeff held various roles during his decade at J.P. Morgan, including working as an investment specialist on their trading desk, where he was responsible for managing and trading investment portfolios for High Net-Worth families and non-profit foundations throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Jeff helped co-manage over $4.0 billion of investment assets and gained broad experience in portfolio construction and investment strategy, as well as in-depth knowledge in a variety of asset classes and markets. In recent years, Jeff was part of the leadership team that trained new advisors and established an expansion office in Utah.

 

Jeff loves helping people with their money-related questions and management. Very simply, his goal is to help others continuously improve their financial situation, regardless of the current condition. His framework centers around sound advice and proper decision-making by engaging in honest discussion and taking a long-term approach.

 

PERSONAL
Jeff holds a B.S. in Accounting from Brigham Young University. He is a native to Colorado and loves playing golf and being outdoors. He lives in Highlands Ranch with his wife Nicole, and their two children.

Lorie C. Jones, MBA, CFP®

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PROFESSIONAL
Lorie began working in financial services in 2013 with a Registered Investment Advisory firm in South Denver. She started as a paraplanner and provided technology and operations support before transitioning to a Client Services Manager role with Empower Retirement. There she managed a book of 300+ Core Market plans before joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

 

Lorie enjoys the challenges presented by financial planning and is rewarded by helping clients thoroughly understand the complexities of finance so they can be better informed and in control of their planning.

 

In addition to securities licenses, she holds health, life, accident, property, and casualty insurance licenses in the state of Colorado and completed her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation from the CFP® Board of Standards. She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

 

Lorie recently launched the “Fearless Females” podcast, providing a unique space for empowering discussions that inspire women in the financial services industry and beyond. Through insightful interviews and stories, she fosters a community where challenges are met with resilience, amplifying female voices and demonstrating her dedication to fostering inclusivity and fearlessness in finance.

 

PERSONAL
Lorie graduated from Colorado State University with an MBA. She enjoys running and has participated in several marathons and half-marathons around the country. She also enjoys hiking with her family, traveling with her husband David and their five children, and working with the cub scout and boy scout programs, including volunteering with the district.

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